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Weld County proclaims Crime Victims’ Rights Week as prosecutors and advocates call for steady funding and services
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Summary
The Weld County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and heard testimony from the district attorney and more than a dozen victim‑service providers who described high demand for services, examples of lifesaving advocacy and recent funding cuts to local nonprofits.
The Weld County Board of County Commissioners on Monday proclaimed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and used the time to hear detailed accounts from the district attorney and a lineup of local victim‑service providers about the county’s response to crime and gaps in funding.
“You're gonna hear from the victim services providers in this county who do such incredible work,” County District Attorney Michael Rourkewell told the board as he introduced system‑ and community‑based advocates and survivors. The board signed the proclamation and commissioners thanked the providers for their service.
Why it matters: providers described a wide range of supports—from crisis hotlines and emergency shelter to forensic interviews and court accompaniment—that they said materially affect survivors’ outcomes. Carol Pash, director of victim services at the district attorney’s office, framed advocacy as essential to public safety, saying, “Every time a violent crime is committed, someone becomes a victim,” and urging the county to treat advocacy as part of the response team.
Speakers gave concrete service counts and resource details. Jillian Henry of Life Stories said the county’s Child Advocacy Center performed 307 forensic interviews last year and is on pace to do about 100 more this year, a sign of rising demand for child‑focused services. Kimberly Corbin Rourke, director of development for SAVA, said the sexual‑assault victim advocacy nonprofit lost one‑third of its budget this year and continues to rely on volunteers and donations to maintain a 24/7 hotline and trauma‑focused therapy.
Other providers described operational limits and practical assistance: Tammy Rosales of Catholic Charities said her team has served about 19 victims and “unfortunately had to turn away more than eight” this year because of funding constraints; Diane Hild of A Woman’s Place described a recently expanded facility that doubles the shelter’s capacity but stressed partnerships are required to sustain services.
Speakers also described day‑to‑day work that rarely makes headlines. Amanda DeMint, a victim‑witness assistant with the district attorney’s office, recounted buying a child a pair of pants so the child could testify without embarrassment. Such examples, advocates said, illustrate how modest investments can keep victims engaged with the justice process and later support recovery and reporting.
The district attorney’s office and providers asked commissioners to sustain funding lines and partnerships. No formal budget or funding vote was taken at the meeting; commissioners offered public thanks and pledged continued attention. Commissioner comments emphasized belief in survivors and the county’s role in supporting service networks.
What’s next: the board adopted the proclamation recognizing Crime Victims’ Rights Week; departmental staff and nonprofit partners will continue to brief commissioners as grant and budget opportunities arise.
